Literature can reflect the time in which it was written in several ways:
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Literature reflects society by standing as a medium of politics (as was proven by the French in the Enlightenment) or entertainment and spreading pre-existing concepts of ideas. However, certain themes and trends in society are reflected in the style and conveyance of the literature. This is especially true when considering say Beowulf portraying Anglo-Saxon ethics and values of bravery and strength over beauty or intellect.
Literature can shape society by spreading new concepts, philosophy, criticisms, satire etc. This was especially true with the publishing of Karl Marx's (and Friedrich Engels's) Communist Manifesto in Russia. The creation of the Marxian theory was spread (via literature) to France and much of Europe where "Utopian Socialism" was created through a series of different philosophers' responses to Marx or Marxian ideals.
As you can see, it can represent pre-existing notions in a society. When innovative literature is created however, it can mold minds within the society, influence politics, etc...
Literature is first of all the epitome of a language's power, it is the maximum of its potential as a tool to make sense of the abstract. Each culture has its own language (or dialect) and so the literature is like a portrait of this culture. Inherent to a literary text is the cultural prism through which the author sees the world, and in studying this we can learn a great deal about the time and place that a piece of literature originated from. This is also why it is said that the best literature is the one that is well anchored in society and history.
the advan tages of studying literature is literature
Literature is considered the mirror of culture in society. This means that books that are written by a society are influenced by the happenings and life in that society. These books reflect society.
Moralizing literature, or literature that has moral lessons have been popular since the beginning of time. Moralizing literature can be written for adults or children and include books such as the Bible, and Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
The values and beliefs of their society.
The new national literature reflected the growing national pride.
contemporary literature
Works that are written in the present time include contemporary novels, articles, essays, blogs, and social media posts. These works reflect current themes, issues, and perspectives of the modern-day society.
Elizabeth A. Campbell has written: 'Fortune's wheel' -- subject(s): Criticism and interpretation, Cycles in literature, Fate and fatalism in literature, Fortune in literature, Time in literature, Tragic, The, in literature, Wheels in literature, Women in literature
contemporary literature
Harlow O. Waite has written: 'Literature for our time' -- subject(s): American literature, English literature, Literary collections, Modern Literature 'Stories from Literature for our time' -- subject(s): American Short stories, English Short stories
the advan tages of studying literature is literature
Franco Masciandaro has written: 'La problematica del tempo nella Commedia' -- subject(s): Time in literature, Time perception in literature
J. Adam Johns has written: 'The assault on progress' -- subject(s): Literature and technology, History and criticism, American literature, History, Time in literature, Technology in literature
Harry Thornton has written: 'Time and style' -- subject(s): Classical literature, Time in literature, Style, Literary, History and criticism, Literary style
Sara Mack has written: 'Patterns of time in Vergil' -- subject(s): Criticism and interpretation, History and criticism, In literature, Latin poetry, Time in literature
Annabelle Despard has written: 'Texts in time' -- subject(s): Social life and customs, English literature, History and criticism, Democracy in literature, Women and literature, Work in literature, Race in literature, Identity (Philosophical concept) in literature, Social classes in literature
Literature can certainly be studied for its own merit. It can also be a door into other disciplines such as history. Books usually reflect the times in which they were written giving the reader an idea of what life was like in the past.